header install

[michael6593]

I am going to be installing a DC header within the next few weeks and i had a question. Am i going to have to remove my entire exhaust to install the header? Or will i just be able to disconnect everything up to the cat, then bolt the new header/downpipe up to the cat? I saw a thread where a guy removed his entire exhaust to install a header/downpipe. Is this necessary? Or did he do this to make the install easier? Don't mean to ask dumb questions, i just want this header install to be as smooth as possible. Thanks!

[Quashish]

Your going to have to unbolt the header from the downpipe to get it out.

[michael6593]

yes i understand that. but am i going to have to remove the entire exhaust to complete the install. THis is the forum i saw.
http://www.cb7tuner.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=129428

['93CB7Ex]

you dont have to. you can just do as you said and unbolt from the kitty. dropping the entire thing will make it easier to get the top bolt off the converter.

[michael6593]

ohh alright cool thanks. Should i start spraying all the bolts down with penetrating oil a few days before i install the header? or should i do it a little while before i install it?

['93CB7Ex]

if you want, do it now. i dont really believe that stuff works but it might. it never has for me. lol. bolts break instead of coming out.

[Mike1357]

Penetrating oil has worked for me on plenty of exhausts, but I also live in FL. I'd say just spray it half an hour before you do the job but that's just me.

[Stoner51]

I just did this this weekend. Same exact header. Three bolts down at the cat. Spray them with PB blaster I did it the night before. You are going to have to remove the two bolts from the block in the back that hold the stock downpipe on. While your under you need to remove the 3 bolts that hold the top part of the header and the downpip together. Then remove the 12 nuts on the exhaust manifold. I pulled out the top half of the header out and then went below and pulled the bottom half off.
Now when I did this I couldn't get the top half of the header in. So I removed the front waterneck. I don't think you need to do this. BC I still couldn't get it in after removal. I then removed the front torque mount. Then I got it in.

Tips. Put it all on the car together but don't fully tighten everything up. Make sure the downpipe is up past the crossmember before you bolt it down to the cat(if not you will have to undo the 3 bolts at the cat and push the downpipe up then rebolt the cat up)
When I torqued all the bolts down I originally did the bottom 3 on the downpipe first. Then I had a leak at the head. I loosened those and started at the head on the bottom row, Then the top row, then the 3 on the downpipe.
Reconnect the 02 sensor. I did use a new felpro exhaust manifold gasket. I use the other gaskets that came with the header.

Good luck and the only sockets you need are a 14mm for the big bolts and a 12 mm deep for the exhaust manifold nuts.


steve

[Mike1357]

Another tip, if it has the flange to bolt back up to the block, DO NOT use it. That's a common place where aftermarket headers crack.

[michael6593]

thanks steve! if i knew how to give rep i would. That was exactly what i needed! whats youre opinion on this header? are you running a stock cat/stock exhaust? did you notice a difference in you're car?

[toycar]

I use deep creep, and that shit works wonders on rusty stuff. I was always a fan of PB blasting fluid, but deep creep puts that stuff to shame.



Also, loosen shit up with the exhaust hot. I know, its hot and that sucks. Seriously though, you want this shit to go easy? Get some deep creep, spray everything down the night before and then the day of.


Start the car and let it fun for 30 minutes or so. Rev it a few times to get the exhaust nice and hot. It'll come loose. You'll see.


Just wear gloves and long sleeves. Be careful. I use this trick to get things loose. After I break everything loose, I let the car cool down and then finish things up. Seriously, taking shit apart while its hot makes all the difference in the world.

[bassrock234]

There's truth to both using penetrating oil and heat. Both work wonders on rusty stuff. Letting it run for a little while before loosening the bolts is a great way to do it if you dont have a propane torch or similar. I've never heard of deep creep but pb blaster is the best I've ever used.

[Stoner51]

Stock everything for now. But I have a ws2 coming and I'm looking at a magna flow metallic core cat. That I will get a shop to install like stock

I came from a a1. And the thing I noticed the most is the engine has less brake when down shifting and seems to shift better. Ie. I have a stage 1 clutch before if I didn't time the shift right it would grab real bad. It's hard to explain. But overall now it seems smoother

Steve

[Macaqueistrong]

thanks steve! if i knew how to give rep i would.

Left side of your monitor where it displays your username, join date, and post count, towards the bottom of that you should see a weight scale. That is where you add reputation. You have to click the weight scale of the person you want to add to, or take away reputation from. You can also leave them a comment as to why you left them rep or why you took away rep. Enjoy!

[michael6593]

Finally got it finished today! thanks everybody for their help! It took my about 3.5-4hrs to finish. I ended up having to remove the entire exhaust to get to all of the bolts. I also had a lot of trouble getting the bolts off of the cat. here's some pics!